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Retiring senators

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“This decision was extremely difficult because I love representing the people of Michigan in the U.S. Senate and fighting for the things that I believe are important to them,” Levin, a Democrat, said in a statement released after the close of business.

The longest-serving senator in Michigan history spent months under pressure to announce his intention, from Democrats in Washington and back in his state. Party leaders have pushed members to make their plans known by the spring so that they can recruit and prepare top-flight candidates. He said he talked with his wife, Barbara, at length about whether to run.

“We decided that I can best serve my state and nation by concentrating in the next two years on the challenging issues before us that I am in a position to help address; in other words, by doing my job without the distraction of campaigning for reelection,” Levin said.

Democrats express confidence they can hold the seat, but it will be more difficult without an incumbent who has a proven power base and fundraising network.

“I am confident that we will recruit a great Democratic leader who will continue to fight for the values and priorities Senator Levin advocated for all these years,” Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Michael Bennet said in a statement. “We fully expect to keep Michigan blue in November 2014.”

A GOP official floated four potential candidates: Rep. Mike Rogers, state Attorney General Bill Schuette, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and Secretary of State Ruth Johnson.

A Democratic primary is possible. Among those receiving buzz in the wake of the announcement are Rep. Gary Peters and former Rep. Mark Schauer.

Levin, in his sixth term, won with 63 percent in 2008 and 61 percent in 2002. President Barack Obama just carried Michigan with 54 percent in November, despite it being Mitt Romney’s home state. Spencer Abraham, in 1994, was the last Republican to win a Senate seat in the state.

The GOP trumpeted the announcement as great news.

“We have been speaking to people on the ground in Michigan, from local officials to grass-roots organizations and residents, in the event that Mr. Levin would decide to retire and now that groundwork will begin to pay off,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Brad Dayspring.

“Over the last few months, the 2014 map has gone from sorta difficult to really tough for Senate Democrats,” he added. “Carl Levin’s retirement puts a Democratic party already on defense far back on their heels and offers a real pickup opportunity for Republicans.”

But Republicans also expressed confidence last cycle about taking on the state’s junior senator, Debbie Stabenow. She wound up beating former Rep. Pete Hoekstra by 21 points.

“The more people we have like Carl Levin serving in public office, the better off our country will be,” Stabenow said in a statement.

Public Policy Polling found Levin’s approval rating at 45 percent in an automated statewide survey conducted Saturday through Monday, with 37 percent disapproving.